Casual Living

Courtney M. Paschal

Cleaning wounds of climbing gas prices
May 27, 2008

What did you do this past Memorial Day weekend? If you are like many, odds are you spent your days off of work right at home, perhaps even canceling a vacation due to the boggling gas prices that keep inching higher and higher … and higher.

AAA reported Americans planned to drive less over the weekend than they did in 2007 – for the first time since 2002. Today, I had to fill up my tank and, as I did so, had to take a big gulp of air in order to avoid a panic attack right there at the pump. Here in Greensboro, N.C., our regular gas prices are hovering around $3.80. News reports from CNN and Fox to local newspapers all are saying the prices are resulting in changing lifestyles, from carpooling to trading in SUVs for Geo Metros on eBay.

Gas prices also are inevitably changing our industry.

Typical Memorial Day events usually involve barbecues. I attended one Sunday evening and I know of several other friends who hopped from one to another over the three-day weekend.

However, foxbusiness.com reported Friday that even cooking out was going to hurt our wallets. According to the article (click here to read), the standard barbecue was expected to cost about 7% more than it did last year, as well as be the most expensive in the last 10 years. The article continues and breaks down the increase in price of burgers, potato chips, soda and more (if you had friends bring some food of their own to share, you should write a thank you note!). Check it out if you get the chance.

In the June issue of Casual Living, Editor-in-chief Cinde Ingram touches on mid-season price increases manufacturers such as Hanamint, Laneventure, Mallin, Kettler and Tropitone have had to impose yet again as a result of increased transportation costs, among other reasons.

On the flip side, the rising gas prices are expected to help boost the outdoor living category at the retail level as more people seek refuge in their backyards. Gardening is expected to have a better year because people want something pretty to look at while spending more time at home (not to mention people are now more apt to buying locally and at specialty dealers), while casual furniture dealers provide all the necessities for dining and living outdoors.

Are you feeling the pinch personally or professionally? What’s your take on the season so far?

Posted by Courtney M. Paschal on May 27, 2008 | Comments (0)